DHB asks for removal of Facebook posts about walk-in vaccination

A Wellington community Facebook page has been asked by health authorities to delete posts about walk-in vaccinations, as they were "not accurate".

The popular community page Vic Deals gave an update earlier today saying posts made about walk-in vaccinations had been deleted by the admins.

A spokesperson for Vic Deals has since told NZME more than 35 posts had been deleted.

They said the health and safety of peple running the programmes and the wider population of New Zealand was paramount.

A vaccination clinic in Kilbirnie yesterday said bookings were encouraged but not a requirement. Photo / Supplied

"Social media has tendency to muddle the message and whilst people have the best intentions often they don't seek to factor in the wider relevance of what they post," they said.

The post made on Thursday said they were advised by the Capital and Coast and Hutt Valley DHB that people needed to book "otherwise it creates chaos."

A CCDHB spokesperson confirmed they had asked Vic Deals to remove the posts.

"We have asked Vic Deals to remove posts advertising walk-in and drive-through COVID-19 vaccination clinics in our region as the posts are not accurate," they said.

"All clinics are for booked appointments only and having people attend clinics across the region without a booking causes significant pressure on our vaccination teams, and can create traffic management issues and affect safe distancing."

A drive-through clinic prioritising Māori and Pacific families was held in Porirua earlier this week and specified no booking was required.

Yesterday a clinic in Kilbirnie, also targeting Pacific families, said it bookings were not a requirement and it would accept walk-ins.

A post made by Vic Deals said they were asked to remove posts about walk-in vaccinations.

While walk-ins had been accepted at both drive-through clinics, Capital and Coast District Health Board said bookings were the still "strongest preference."

A drive-through clinic at Sky Stadium in Wellington had also been operating since last Friday.

Capital and Coast and Hutt Valley DHB Chief executive Fionnagh Dougan said the Sky Stadium drive-through clinic had administered more than 5000 vaccinations by the end of the day on Wednesday, averaging 1000 a day for each day it had been open.

"With 753 booked appointments today, the centre is fully booked – it should be noted that the number of vaccinations administered is usually higher than booking numbers as multiple people attend in a single car.

"Tomorrow is also fully booked with 420 bookings – fewer, as we have reduced the number of lanes for the final day – however we aim to make a further 100 appointments available by midday today."